Butamax sues Gevo over alleged patent infringement

ERJ staff report (DS)

Wilmington, Delaware -- Butamax Advanced Biofuels, LLC today announced the filing of a second patent infringement case against Gevo, Inc for its use of biobutanol technology. allegedly owned by Butamax. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in the District of Delaware.

Butamax Advanced Biofuels is a joint venture created in 2009 by BP and DuPont. It combines BP's expertise in fuels technology, development and infrastructure with DuPont's leading capabilities in biotechnology. The company is based in Wilmington, Delaware, US.

This lawsuit is based on Gevo's infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,993,889 which describes Butamax's foundational methods for low-cost production of biobutanol. The patent was granted earlier this week.

“The success of any new technology start-up is dependent on protection of innovation” said Paul Beckwith, CEO Butamax. “It is our obligation to assert our intellectual property rights in order to defend value for our partners and to protect the viability of this emerging industry.”

On 14 January this year, Butamax filed an earlier patent infringement suit, alleging Gevo used technology owned by Butamax and described in patent 7851188 awarded in in the preior month (December 2010)

This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Press release (Issues second lawsuit against Gevo) from Butamax

Press release (Granted U.S. Patent No. 7,993,889) from Butamax

Press release (Earlier lawsuit against Gevo) from Butamax